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Photography tour «Bears and Salmon»

Destination: Kamchatka
Easy - nothing more than normal walking while sight-seeing
Moderately Easy - 1-3 hours of physical activity daily
Moderate - 3-5 hours of physical activity daily
Challenging - 5-7 hours of challenging physical activity daily
Extreme - 7+ hours of challenging/extreme physical activity daily
Difficulty
Basic — most of nights in tents or rooms with shared WC, some nights in comfortable rooms.
Standard — most of nights in comfortable rooms, some nights in tents or rooms with shared WC.
Upgraded — all nights in comfortable rooms.
Comfort
Minimum age of the participant of this trip
10 Days
July - August
Highlights
  • Animal observation and wildlife photography
  • Fishing for salmon
  • Esso, the Even village (a local ethnic group in Kamchatka) and its magnificent Ethnographic Museum
  • Bathing in the hot springs
  • The Avacha Bay with its various wildlife
  • The world famous Valley of Geysers with more than 29 geysers
  • Panoramic views of Kamchatka volcanoes
Tour Overview

If you don’t imagine your life without camera and the main aim of your travel is to make rare and good photos, this Kamchatka tour is special for you! We call your attention to the Photography tour «Bears and Salmon». During this tour, you will surely make photo that takes its well-deserved position in your collection.

Firstly, you will get acquaintance with Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, will walk along the Pacific Ocean bay and visit the breeding-ground of sea-lions. Then you will admire the panoramic views of the most famous volcanoes of the Kamchatka peninsula: Avachinsky, Koryaksky volcanoes and Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano group. After that you will go to the Lake Dvukhyurtochnoye that is considered as the true brown bears region. During the spawning season of salmon, you can make photos of fishing bears at close, but safe range. Moreover, there are a lot of Steller's sea eagles.

For guarantying to you a good shot, we have included 5 day near the lake. There you can make photos every morning and every evening just sitting on the shore. During the day, when bears have rest , you can have a real rest too – you have possibility to bathe in the thermal hot springs, go fishing or just walk around.

Don’t miss your chance to make your best shot that will reflect your vision of Kamchatka with the main symbols of the peninsula: volcanoes, brown bears and lakes and rivers rich in fish!

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Tour programme
  • Day 1
    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky et Pacific Ocean bay
    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
  • Day 2
    Kamchatka volcanoes and departure to the Milkovo village
    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski — Milkovo village
  • Day 3
    Mountain lake and hot springs
    Milkovo village — Lake Dvukhyurtochnoye
  • Day 4
    Bears watching
    Lake Dvukhyurtochnoye
  • Day 5
    Salmon fishing
    Lake Dvukhyurtochnoye
  • Day 6
    Bears life in the salmon land
    Lake Dvukhyurtochnoye
  • Day 7
    Kamchatka's Swiss
    Esso village
  • Day 8
    Return to Petropavlovsk
    Esso village — Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
  • Day 9
    Free day
    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
  • Day 10
    End of the programme
    Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
  • 11:00
    Arrival to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
    Transfer to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Accommodation at the hotel. Free time. Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski - the capital of the region is one of the oldest cities of the Russian Far East. It is located on the shores of the largest picturesque bay: Avachinskaya Pacifique. The entrance to the bay is guarded by the cliffs "three brothers" – one of the symbols of the Kamchatka which makes its world famous.
  • 14:00
    Departure to the Pacific ocean coast
    You can go for a walk along the ocean bay of black sand that extends about some dozens of kilometres. We propose to you to make your first Kamchatka's photos in the sunsets rays.
  • 18:00
    Return to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel "Petropavlovsk"
Twin room
  • 08:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Free time
    That day, it’s possible to maintain the helicopter excursion in the valley of the geysers and the caldera Uzon. Where boat trips on the bay Avacha with access to the Pacific Ocean are available. *Optional excursions are not included in the price of the trip
  • 16:00
    Departure to the Milkovo village
  • 18:00
    Arrival
    Accommodation at the hotel. Free time.
  • 18:00
    Dinner in the road cafe Not included
    Not included, to pay on site in cash.
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski — Milkovo village
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel of Milkovo village, Kamchatka
Twin room
Note

4 h transfer  (280km)

  • 08:00
    Breakfast in the hotel
  • 09:00
    Transfer to the Kozyrevsk village
  • 12:00
    To the mountain lake by helicopter
    We take helicopter for the flight to the mountain lake Dvukhyurtochnoye. if the weather is fine, you can admire the panorama of the Klyuchevskaya Sopka volcano group, volcanoes Chiveluch, Alney and Chashakondja.
  • 12:40
    Arrival and accommodation
    Accommodation at the resort (wooden houses, 2-4 persons in the room).
  • 13:40
    Lunch
  • 15:00
    Walking to the Dvukhyurtochnaya river
    After walking about 600 metres from our resort, we start our wildlife photography of brown bears fishing the salmons. During the spawning season, there are so many fish, that the bears don't pay attention to people even if they aren't far away.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
    We will enjoy a real soup of Kamchatka fish, salmon dishes and red caviar.
  • Overnight at the resort
Photo of the day
Route
Milkovo village — Lake Dvukhyurtochnoye
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Dvukhyurtochnoye lake, Kamchatka
Room for 2-4 persons
Note

3 h transfer  (195km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Photography of brown bears
    We will arrive at the spawning, where we will observe the bears and the mating of the salmon. The bear is one of the symbols of Kamchatka. Despite the bear being considered one of the most dangerous and unpredictable predators of the tour, you can watch them at a very close distance, the safety of the road is ensured by experienced guides.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 14:00
    Bathing in the hot springs
    Not far from our resort, there are the curative hot springs where you can bathe at any time.
  • 16:00
    Continuation of the photography
    During the day the bears have a rest and go away from the river that's why we propose you to continue the photography in the afternoon.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight at the resort
Photo of the day
Route
Lake Dvukhyurtochnoye
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Dvukhyurtochnoye lake, Kamchatka
Room for 2-4 persons
Note

animal observation  (3km)

  (2km)

  • 08:00
    Breakfast
  • 09:00
    Bears watching in the morning
    For those who want it's possible to go for bear watching early in the morning for taking rare photos.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 14:00
    Salmon fishing
    After the bear observation and during their nap, we propose you to try the fishing by yourself. Even if you have no experience, we can promise that everyone will have a good take!
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight at the resort
Photo of the day
Route
Lake Dvukhyurtochnoye
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Dvukhyurtochnoye lake, Kamchatka
Room for 2-4 persons
Note

4 h fishing  (280km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 11:00
    Bear watching
    You have one more day of bear watching. Every day you have possibility to change the location. During the day the photography conditions change: the temperature, lightness and even the bears behaviour: in the morning they are active and agile, in the afternoon more sedate in manner.
  • 13:00
    Lunch
  • 14:00
    Continuation of the observation
    In addition to the bears, we will be able to watch groups of Steller's and white-tailed eagles reaching gigantic proportions.
  • 19:00
    Dinner
  • Overnight at the resort
Photo of the day
Route
Lake Dvukhyurtochnoye
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Dvukhyurtochnoye lake, Kamchatka
Room for 2-4 persons
  • 08:00
    Breakfast
  • 09:00
    Morning bear observation
  • 11:00
    Flight to the Kozyrevsk village by helicopter
    During the flight you have possibility to admire the panoramic views of the Alney volcano and solidified lava's streams of the Chashakondja volcano.
  • 12:10
    Transfer to the Esso village
    Accommodation in the hotel, rest ans bathing in the thermal hot springs.
  • 15:00
    Esso village
    Esso is a small village, which is described in all the guides of Kamchatka. It is called “the Swiss Kamchatka”: the picturesque hills, thermal springs, rich culture and enjoyable in every respect people make this place a special place. We will visit the museum, as well as workshops and the crafts of the north – sculpture on bone and wood, beading and making shamanic drums.
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Esso village
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel of the Esso village, Kamchatka
Twin room
Note

1 h transfer  (88km)

  • 08:00
    Breakfast
  • 09:00
    Departure to Petropavlovsk
  • 13:00
    Lunch in the cafe Not included
    Not included, payment in cash on site.
  • 17:00
    Arrival and check-in in the hotel
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Esso village — Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel "Petropavlovsk"
Twin room
Note

6 h transfer  (530km)

  • 09:00
    Breakfast
  • 10:00
    Optional excursions
    On this day it is possible to go on a helicopter excursion to Geyser Valley and Uzon Caldera. Or, Boat trip around Avacha Bay, or any other one-day excursion.
  • 13:00
    Lunch Not included
  • 14:00
    Free time
  • 19:00
    Dinner Not included
  • Overnight in the hotel
Photo of the day
Route
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Accommodation
Accommodation in the hotel "Petropavlovsk"
Twin room
  • 08:00
    Breakfast
  • 09:00
    Transfer to the airport
    On the way, we will stop on the fish market. Purchase of souvenirs.
Photo of the day
Route
Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Detailed description
New departures available soon
Price includes
  • Accommodation as per itinerary
  • Transport as per itinerary
  • Excursions and visits as per itinerary
  • Reserves and national parks entrance permissions
  • Transfer from airport / railway station on first day
  • Transfer to airport / railway station on last day
  • Russian-speaking guide services
  • Bathing in hot springs
  • Meals according to the program
Price does not include
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Visa fees and travel insurance
  • Airline tickets
  • Optional activities
For more info, please download the detailed description of the trip.
Note

The indicated price is per person for the group of 10 participants minimum. Single supplement – 24 000 roubles / per pers. (possible only in hotels, not at the resort at the lake). The order of visits can be changed according to the weather conditions. The photos of the tour are approximate and are shown for giving to you an idea. The price includes: breakfasts in the hotels and full board at the resort. The other meals are to be paid on site: in the cafe 250-400 RUR, in the restaurant 400-600 RUR). Helicopter excursion to the Valley of Geysers: 52 000 roubles / pers. (price of 2022, possible to be changed). Boat trip in the Avacha bay - 6 500 roubles / pers . (price of 2022, possible to be changed).

Reviews
4.83
4.83
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Cyril
From 14 July 2018 to 23 July 2018
Destination: Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Nous avons beaucoup aprécié ce tour, l'endroit de l'observation des ours est excellent, et c'était notre but premier. Notre guide Roman a vraiment été excellent, très attentionné, et a fait vraiment son possible pour nous rendre le tour agréable.
No reviews anymore or no reviews at all for this tour. Below reviews for destination:
5.00
5.00
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
5.00
Quality of accommodation
5.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Liang
From 28 July 2023 to 7 August 2023
Destination: Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
An excellent travel tour! The organization was top-notch, the tour leader was exceptional, and the customer service was outstanding, promptly addressing any inquiries.
4.50
4.50
Total score
4.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Jenna
From 21 January 2020 to 28 January 2020
Destination: Kamchatka
Custom tourExpedition to Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
The group had a fantastic time and we will definitely be returning to Kamchatka soon. Thank you so much for the excellent service.
4.00
4.00
Total score
4.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
4.00
Quality of meals
4.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
4.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Martin
From 19 October 2018 to 24 October 2018
Destination: Kamchatka
Custom tourAutumn Tour to Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Many Thanks to my " personal " very good and professional Tourguide Katerina Kuzmina.
4.67
4.67
Total score
5.00
Work of BaikalNature office before and during travel / customer support
4.00
Quality of accommodation
4.00
Quality of transport / transfers
5.00
Quality of meals
5.00
Friendliness and professionalism of guides / management
5.00
Quality and originality of visits / attractions / events
Laurence
From 7 August 2018 to 19 August 2018
Destination: Kamchatka
Would you like to travel with BaikalNature again? Yes!
Très beau voyages, des volcans, et des ours !!
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